Umahi kicks-off Ebonyi school sports final series

 

Governor David Umahi has kicked off the final series of the Ebonyi school sports competition holding at the Pa Ngele Oruta stadium Abakaliki, among other venues.

Umahi, who was at the stadium with several top government functionaries, performed the ceremonial kick-off of the opening football match between Holy Ghost Secondary School, Abakaliki and St Michael College, Oshiri.

The governor congratulated the teams for qualifying for the final stages of the competition, pledging his administration’s commitment towards sports development.

The state Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Charlse Akpuenika said in an interview that modalities have been put in place for a hitch-free final series.

“The final series will witness about 900 athletes with accompanying officials, competing in various sporting events in both the primary and secondary school categories.

“The events to be competed include: football, sack race, athletics, volleyball, basketball, taekwondo, table tennis, wrestling, chess, scrabble, badminton among others,” he said.

The commissioner appreciated the collaborating ministry of education and the office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Investment for ensuring the success of the competition.   

“We also appreciate the officials, pupils, students, teachers, school authorities, among others for duly comporting themselves during the local government area and zonal stages of the competition.

“We also thank God for giving us an injury free competition as we have not recorded any disturbing situation since its commencement.

“Talents discovered during the competition will be nurtured to represent the state in future regional and national competitions.

He noted other competitions to be staged in 2021 include: the inaugural King David male football championship across the 64 local government areas--development centres of the state.

“The winners will qualify for the zonal eliminations series which will produce eight teams per zone for the state finals.

“We will also organise the queen Rachel female football competition, the second edition of the David Umahi Tertiary Institution Games (DUMTIGA) among others.

“We are grateful to Gov. David Umahi for his avid determination to revive sports in the state and offer youths opportunities of being positively engaged.

 St. Michael’s college Oshiri defeated Holy Ghost College Abakaliki 3-0 in the opening football match of the series.